JUST IN: “I couldn’t say no” – Player tells why he turned down Manchester City despite hinting he’d join
Back in the summer of 2013, when Isco had an outstanding season with Malaga, Manchester City were one of the clubs who tried to take him from the La Liga side.
The Citizens signed manager Manuel Pellegrini from the very same club, and made an attempt to bring the midfielder along with his boss.
That didn’t happen, though, and Isco is now quoted by Sport explaining how things developed at the time.
The now Real Betis player insisted that Manchester City were a big transfer idea for him, but Real Madrid’s interest in taking him to the Santiago Bernabéu is what changed everything.
“Before we went on holiday I told him that I was going with him. Real Madrid appeared. That’s when I had to decide. I couldn’t say no to them, and they hadn’t won the Champions League for many years and I had the feeling that it was going to happen soon.”
Isco joined Real Madrid in a €30m deal, and that turned out quite well for him, with five Champions League trophies on his résumé.
Manchester City spent €115m in that transfer window. They signed Fernandinho from Shakhtar Donetsk, Steven Jovetic from Fiorentina, and Alvaro Negredo and Jesus Navas, both from Sevilla.
Those signings were good enough for Manuel Pellegrini to win the Premier League that season, and that was his only major trophy in charge of the club.
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The one problem with the Kalvin Phillips to West Ham transfer
Kalvin Phillips is officially making his way to West Ham this winter after a lengthy transfer saga that saw the Manchester City defensive midfielder linked to Champions League side Newcastle and Serie A title contenders Juventus.
In the end, Phillips will join a Hammers side that is threatening to return to European football in the 2024/25 season, one year after winning the Conference League against Fiorentina but also flirting with the relegation battle within the Premier League.
Phillips figures to bring steel to the West Ham midfield, having once been one of the absolute top defensive midfielders in English football while being a crucial starter for Leeds, thus earning the move to the perennial Premier League champions.
Signing a player of Phillips’ caliber as a mid-season loan is a big deal for West Ham, but there is a catch here.
West Ham likely won’t pay to sign Kalvin Phillips permanently
According to Fabrizio Romano, the buy option clause for West Ham to sign Kalvin Phillips permanently from Manchester City this June would set the club back 40 million pounds.
While that’s not an egregious sum of money for a talented defensive midfielder from a top club like Man City, it is a bit rich. It seems unlikely West Ham would be willing to part ways with that much money for Phillips.
At 28 years old, Phillips doesn’t have much resale value, so a club like West Ham shouldn’t be devoting that many resources to a defensive midfielder nearing the age of 30.
Unless he is the best player at the position in the league for this half-season, it’s hard to see the Hammers even considering Phillips at that price.
Recall that Man City wanted way too much money from Bayern Munich for João Cancelo to sign him permanently last summer, and they are about to do the same with Cancelo at Barcelona in summer 2024.
Unless if City start having realistic pricing points for the surplus veterans they loan out, nobody is going to be biting. Phillips is a nice six-month rental, but the price on this buy option is simply too rich for them to consider activating.
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Ex-Leeds United ace Kalvin Phillips ‘completes’ Man City loan exit as buy option fee is revealed
An official statement is expected on Friday.
Ex-Leeds United star Kalvin Phillips has reportedly ‘completed’ his loan move from Manchester City to West Ham United with the player’s buy option fee detailed.
Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano revealed late on Thursday evening that Phillips had signed for the Irons on loan until the end of the season upon medical tests being completed.
Within the deal, West Ham reportedly have a buy option clause which is not mandatory and will be worth £40m.
An official statement is expected on Friday morning.
Chelsea now linked with a surprise move for versatile Bayern Munich superstar
Chelsea sound out interest in signing Bayern Munich superstar Joshua Kimmich
Chelsea have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, who has one year left on his contract. The midfielder has also been targeted by Liverpool and Manchester City.
According to Evening Standard, (h/t Bild), Liverpool are prepared to compete with City and the Blues to acquire the German international. Jurgen Klopp is looking to add more steals to his defensive midfielder, despite signing Wataru Endo.
Despite making major midfield additions last summer with the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool is still looking to build up their midfield depth.
Although the Blues appear to have adequate competition in the middle of the park, Kimmich’s acquisition will provide the West Londoners with a valuable boost due to his experience and knack for midfield discipline.
Right now, we can avoid the signing of a defensive midfielder because we currently have three options: Moises Caicedo, Lesley Ugochukwu, and Romeo Lavia. The club also called back Cesare Casadei, who is a versatile player and operates anywhere from the middle of the pitch.
Since Kimmich is a magnificent player, it makes sense that his signing would be good; nevertheless, we cannot jam our midfield, and Bayern will undoubtedly want a high price for his services. Therefore, finding a striker would be preferable to finding another midfielder.
We need to upgrade our defence and offence. It will be necessary to find a centre-back with experience as Thiago Silva may depart in the summer. Thus, Kimmich’s signature is not necessary.